The rooms are so huge that I guess they will either feel empty or too many people for my taste. But hope that people will like it so there would be another option for next year.
Festival and Travel Planner 2026
- Thread starter azana
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Zagreb salsa social Sunday...
No idea what to expect, so impressed overall. Venue is a large backroom in a restaurant bar complex that seems to have several areas for multiple things. Has decent floor for my street shoes, and again high ceiling for good air. Tram stop right outside and maybe 15min from town center, my Airbnb.
Crowd of easily100+ filled the space well, yet room to dance. Ratio bit lead heavy but likely no impact on anyone wanting to dance. But definitely sides were packed throughout the night with watchers and newbies. Overall level was low and on1, that was no surprise. Still, had a handful of decent dances, and one pretty good one. Music was also very danceable, though again narrow range.
By this time I was nearly 40 hours of no sleep other than naps during transit, so wasn't looking for any challenge. In fact it served as a good wind down so happy to have found that option. Ended midnight, same as tram, so Uber ride back for €9.
Did chat up that best gal a bit and asked other games in town. Again not unexpected, there weren't any. Later found out about a bachata wed nite few minutes away in town center, but that turned out to be empty floor...
Well, Ljubljana Magic here I come. Anyone else?
No idea what to expect, so impressed overall. Venue is a large backroom in a restaurant bar complex that seems to have several areas for multiple things. Has decent floor for my street shoes, and again high ceiling for good air. Tram stop right outside and maybe 15min from town center, my Airbnb.
Crowd of easily100+ filled the space well, yet room to dance. Ratio bit lead heavy but likely no impact on anyone wanting to dance. But definitely sides were packed throughout the night with watchers and newbies. Overall level was low and on1, that was no surprise. Still, had a handful of decent dances, and one pretty good one. Music was also very danceable, though again narrow range.
By this time I was nearly 40 hours of no sleep other than naps during transit, so wasn't looking for any challenge. In fact it served as a good wind down so happy to have found that option. Ended midnight, same as tram, so Uber ride back for €9.
Did chat up that best gal a bit and asked other games in town. Again not unexpected, there weren't any. Later found out about a bachata wed nite few minutes away in town center, but that turned out to be empty floor...
Well, Ljubljana Magic here I come. Anyone else?
My experience of London on2 scene last few years is the music is getting a lot less diverse which is a real shame. Pretty much all mid tempo & bit bland imho. Last London Salsa Marathon the music was so dull! I've started ho dance more casino now due to this.
So far that trend continues to Magic here. Last night preparty and this afternoon social still haven't propel me to say, this is great music. Just good and in your word bland. Maybe dancers tastes changed and they just wanna play safe? Hoping for tonight and break out from now on, or just wishful thinking...
At Magic, the music would be better in the afternoon socials.
After Covid I noticed a shift towards more mid tempo and less hard hitting music. It was never great except for few individual sets which could be mind blowing. But you can count and remember them, that’s how few they are. For example DJs whose sets I used to like before Covid l changed after Covid.
Watch out for sets where the DJ might play better music.
I saw they have separate romantica room at Magic, did it improve vibes?
I remember such thing at Istanbul with romantica bachata separate from mambo and dura and in both rooms it felt harmonious. One was huggy sleepy darky, other was energized and bright. So people had a choice.
I remember such thing at Istanbul with romantica bachata separate from mambo and dura and in both rooms it felt harmonious. One was huggy sleepy darky, other was energized and bright. So people had a choice.
I'm planning to go to Romania and Bulgaria this year for salsa. Probably UK and US, but salsa will be secondary priority there.
Would like to try some Greek and Portuguese events, but need more information. Both countries seem like can be great or the opposite, if no research is done.
Would like to try some Greek and Portuguese events, but need more information. Both countries seem like can be great or the opposite, if no research is done.
Thus night was preparty in a different location so no separate rooms. Last night did,with bachata and salsa romantica. Popped over from time to time. Bachata barely dozen couple dancing. Romantica got full during height. But nearly same Ambient, not darker, and salsa pops also largely moderate, not really slow and playful. Didn’t feel big range difference. So mostly stayed in main room. Music got better late into the morning so that was good.
If you do end up dancing in the UK let me know! I'm up north but try to get to London regularly for dancing.
Overall how was it this weekend at Hamburg Salsa Congress with those huge rooms?
A short rant about Magic Mambo Weekend in Zurich. It's not a full review, because I went only to the saturday night party. But I can finally show my talent in criticising after so many enthusiastic reviews.
I've been there two years ago and I deeply disliked the location. It's a modern build community center for the local neighborhood. It has grey concrete floor and grey concrete walls, ugly as hell for me. Very functional for mopping the floor afterwards, that's acknowledged. Wanting to salsa dance in such a place you need a very functional sober mind. Many swiss have this functional mind, so it may work for them. So why return? I heard friends going, great dancers were to be expected, so I had FOMO. I learned my lesson to not follow it.
Having arrived I saw a "Sold out" notice on the door. I had my ticket booked online, but it became clear it would get crowded. Unfortunately I had only remembered I don't like the location in general but not how small the floor is. I came early, the first half hour was still enough place to dance, but followers were disappointing (me being spoiled by great nights elsewhere). As always the better dancers came later - but later it was overcrowded. As a lead I have to take care of my followers safety, so my brain was 90% busy with observing the surrounding. I had mediocre dances even with followers I normally have a great time with. It was also very follower heavy but I couldn't take advantage of it because I finally gave up and waited outside for the time to arrive to take my night bus home.
Organizer adressed the critics of the small room during the show speech: it's difficult to find a good location, and for sure even more in an insanely expensive place like Zurich. But they forgot to draw the limit earlier, it resulted in a pointless night for me.
Regarding finding affordable rental: they invite each year Adolfo & Tania giving nine hours of bootcamp & workshops. They return each year so obviously they pay them well. Plus DJs from NYC. This thing is centered around celebrity workshops but pointless for social dancing. I would skip the celebrities and spend the money for a bigger location, but that's my point of view. I guess it will continue as it is and people will return for bootcamps - and FOMO.
I've been there two years ago and I deeply disliked the location. It's a modern build community center for the local neighborhood. It has grey concrete floor and grey concrete walls, ugly as hell for me. Very functional for mopping the floor afterwards, that's acknowledged. Wanting to salsa dance in such a place you need a very functional sober mind. Many swiss have this functional mind, so it may work for them. So why return? I heard friends going, great dancers were to be expected, so I had FOMO. I learned my lesson to not follow it.
Having arrived I saw a "Sold out" notice on the door. I had my ticket booked online, but it became clear it would get crowded. Unfortunately I had only remembered I don't like the location in general but not how small the floor is. I came early, the first half hour was still enough place to dance, but followers were disappointing (me being spoiled by great nights elsewhere). As always the better dancers came later - but later it was overcrowded. As a lead I have to take care of my followers safety, so my brain was 90% busy with observing the surrounding. I had mediocre dances even with followers I normally have a great time with. It was also very follower heavy but I couldn't take advantage of it because I finally gave up and waited outside for the time to arrive to take my night bus home.
Organizer adressed the critics of the small room during the show speech: it's difficult to find a good location, and for sure even more in an insanely expensive place like Zurich. But they forgot to draw the limit earlier, it resulted in a pointless night for me.
Regarding finding affordable rental: they invite each year Adolfo & Tania giving nine hours of bootcamp & workshops. They return each year so obviously they pay them well. Plus DJs from NYC. This thing is centered around celebrity workshops but pointless for social dancing. I would skip the celebrities and spend the money for a bigger location, but that's my point of view. I guess it will continue as it is and people will return for bootcamps - and FOMO.
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My impression: I was surprised how well attended it was. BS really generates huge young looking crowds. They had the biggest ballroom which is ginormous, but also danced passionately everywhere in the foyer. Dancing in the salsa room felt great, lots of space at all times. The crowd a little smaller - as expected. Music was great with lots of variation for all tastes, but too loud sometimes. Gender dynamics are pretty much reversed, from my observations followers had to hunt for leads most of the time. I observed the popular leads sitting on the dj podium waiting to get asked (or trying to avoid it). There was a Jack and Jill salsa competition on Saturday afternoon which cut away from the announced social dancing time. But it was okay, a part of the salsa crowd seemed to be interested in watching and judging the dances.
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A salsa jack'n'jill? Astonishing, I thought I read the competition was only intended for bachata. Did the pros participate in the salsa jack'n'jill? I saw the latter lately in some video and I find it pointless when the pros participate (as long as there is only one division).
It didn't look like the pros participated, they seemed to be the judges.
I’m considering attending a Dance House event in Budapest but I noticed that party passes are now sold out and that the remaining party passes (including the pre-party) have suddenly become even more expensive.
I’d appreciate hearing about people’s experiences with these events, especially regarding value for money, organization, and overall atmosphere.
I’d appreciate hearing about people’s experiences with these events, especially regarding value for money, organization, and overall atmosphere.
Value for money is tricky. For me, it isn't worth the money unless I am able to dance all 4 days at least 5-7 hours each day. This is the kind of event you need to be prepared for as the dancing hours are intense.
I'm going this year but mostly for the atmosphere as I'm not in great shape compared to previous years. I'll be lucky if I attend 2 parties.
But I've decided I'm going to treat myself.
But €230 for a pass is absurd. Zeid is price gouging because he can.
When I was there last time in 2024, this was the best festival for me in terms of dancing and music. But again, I was in good shape and I knew lots of people (this helps A LOT). It was madness and I loved it all.
However, I expect a totally different experience this time.
All the best dancers to go this event. The limited passes means no random people attending.
Food/catering was the best I've ever had at a Salsa event. Not sure if this will change this year, though.
Organization is top notch. Nothing to worry about.
The event is what you make of it. If you want to dance a lot, you can. If you want to go star searching, you can. If you want to be invisible, you can.
P.S. I went in 2023 & 2024 to this event. The first time I had a much worse experience because I knew less people and I was single lol. Not having a person to dance with at the end of a party was a downer.
But if you are the lone wolf type who has no loneliness issues and csn seek out good dance partners while blocking out all the noise, you might love it
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Thanks for the insights, super helpful. It might just be worth the splurge... I didn’t realize food was included, that’s a nice bonus. I’m not much of a salsa festival person in general, but I’m an experienced On2 dancer and currently pretty fit. That said, I'd be there more for quality dancing and genuinely connecting than star-chasing.
From what I remember, there are good dancers all around the room (at the Hotel Anantara venue which is the venue I'd recommend as it's smaller) so finding good connection shouldn't be an issue.
Though as the event is split between two weekends, I can not predict which weekend will have better dancers. Though the smaller venue is supposed to have less superstars.
Now you are not ????
Why? Not enough dancers to go around? There have been a few festivals where end of the party I managed to snag one of the most favourite dancer I discovered at the festival. Definitely not a norm. But how often do you close a party
If there was an award for closing the party, I should get one
. I think I have closed the parties 90% of the time. I am definitely now a lone wolf. But I do like large parties where seeking out good dance partners is easy. To think of it, it is easier in smaller parties too. Challenge at the smaller parties is invariable cliquishness of larger percentage of dancers who already know each other and you are like a stranger. That’s more common in smaller EU festivals as the same crowd frequently goes to the festivals. That’s no different than breaking into any new place.